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With writers in Hollywood powering down their computers and raising picket signs, TV viewers could be in for a season of shoddy reality and game shows that'll make "Kid Nation" look like Kurosawa. And moviegoers could see ripple effects months from now with delayed or canceled projects.

The Writers Guild of America has been tussling with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over such issues as DVD residuals and payments for "webisodes," but the details don't matter much to those of us who just want to know how Jack Bauer is going to survive without bathroom breaks this time around or what's going to be the next romantic body blow to "Grey's Anatomy."

Many TV viewers might not notice the fallout from the strike until January or February -- most series work several weeks ahead -- and filmgoers will get a longer reprieve, because moviemakers work months ahead. Here's how the strike might affect the average entertainment consumer:

Good night and good luck

Start cobbling together your own version of David Letterman's Top Ten List or Stephen Colbert's Threatdown, because the originals will be the first casualties of the strike. Late-night TV shows, filmed the night of broadcast and filled with topical, of-the-moment humor, can't be stockpiled in advance. Or, maybe you can just go to bed earlier -- your dreams might be more entertaining than seeing your favorite late-night host flaming out with his own badly written jokes.

Reality is the new reality, Part I

If you thought there are too many reality TV shows on now, you'll want to vote yourself off the couch by January. Although reality shows are overseen by professional writers, these series aren't bound by WGA contracts. The same is true for game, talk, sports, newsmagazine and animated shows. So get ready to make TV friends with Ty Pennington and Simon Cowell, because you're going to be seeing a lot more of them.

Don't get too attached

Networks are quick to bring out the ax, even without a strike looming. Every network is faced with a quandary: Does it limp along with a series -- like "K-Ville,"Cane,"Journeyman" or "Life" -- that may have less than stellar ratings, but might have a backlog of scripts and/or episodes completed that could see the network through a (short) strike? Or does it just cut its losses, since dramas are so expensive anyway?

Turn off the TV, turn on the computer

Because the Internet is slowly severing the attachment to network TV anyway, why not make it complete and get your shows online? No, we're not talking about episodes of "Private Practice" or "CSI." Short, continuing "series" specifically made for the Internet -- such as the affecting "Hometown Baghdad," the recently launched "Total Pop Star," or the much talked-about "Lonelygirl15" -- may get a boost in traffic if everyone's TV sets are dark.

Quality control? What quality control?

Reportedly, scripts are being pushed through the production pipeline without many of the touchups they might have received in less hectic times. And without writers available for rewrites while series or movies are in production, little things such as quality and continuity might fly out the window in the rush to make deadlines.

Haven't we seen this before?

When in doubt, go with what you know. That's what networks just might do as they decide to plug holes with reruns of successful shows rather than go with the untried and untested. Hey, guys, remember: There's no such thing as too many episodes of "Cheaters."

All is not 'Lost'

Series such as "Lost" and "24," which weren't due to return until spring anyway, may have an advantage, as they could have new episodes to show at a time when others have lapsed into reruns or strike-driven hiatus. But a long strike could have a drastic impact on other serialized dramas, such as "Heroes," that count on viewers stitching together intricate threads of back stories week after week.

Say what?